Scientists accidentally discover drug that prevents weight gain in mice

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(Maya McDowell/ Delish) — Mice are often tested in scientific studies before humans are, as a precautionary measure. A recent study conducted by Yale researchers yielded some results on mice that humans are definitely going to envy.

The researchers found that (in mice) they could prevent fat absorption in the body by stopping its entry into the gut, Men’s Health states.

The study shows that some types of glaucoma drugs block the production of a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). In the absence of that protein, pores located on the gut’s lymphatic vessels close, and that’s where fat typically passes through before being absorbed, Men’s Health notes.

Feng told Men’s Health that his team was surprised by the findings, because they’d originally thought a different protein would impact weight. During the study, mice were fed high-fat diets and given drugs to stop the production of VEGF-A in some of them. Eight weeks later, the researchers found that the mice without the protein didn’t gain weight, while the others doubled in weight. (…)

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